Demo

Senior Principal Research Scientist, CDD Optimization Team Lead

BioSpace
North Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 4/15/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/14/2026
Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us atwww.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie onLinkedIn,Facebook,Instagram,XandYouTube.

Purpose

Job Description

This position brings an opportunity to make innovative contributions that will define how AbbVie leverages AI-enabled drug discovery across our small molecule portfolio.Reports to Head of Computational Drug Discovery (CDD) and will lead thecomputational LeadOptimizationteam.Will implement and enable collaborative design betweenmembersof theOptimizationteamand Global Medicinal Chemistry(GMEC)teams. Mustpossessstrongexpertisein modernmedicinal chemistry, including a deep understanding of modern computational and experimentalstrategies,property-based drug design, and pharmacology needed to develop low-dose small molecule drug candidates. The ideal candidate will have a strong and established background in drug discovery from exploratory throughcandidate nominationincluding an established external footprint, and network as well as a proventrack recordof successfully leading diverseproject teams toidentifynovel drug candidates.Past experiencewillhave includedmentorship of early/mid-career scientists in matrixed and/or direct reporting relationships.

Responsibilities

  • Consultwithprojectteamand GMEC leadershiptoestablishquantitative targets for driving optimization, andassigning anOptimization teammember totheproject teamthat can execute these goalsforaccelerated identification of low dose drug candidates
  • GuideOptimization teammembers inbenchmarkingexperiments to evaluatemodels performance and domain of applicability
  • Clearly communicatetoproject teamstherationale behind the selection of specificmodels andwhytheyare best suited for thetask at hand
  • Lead thedevelopment of a cohesivecollection of internal models and workflows, tocomprehensivelyaddress AbbVies small moleculeportfolioneeds (suitable models to predict small molecule binding affinities for protein targets, and topredict pharmacological properties (PK parameters, etc.)
  • Partnerclosely with the GMEC leadership team toidentifyand addressgapswhere computational predictions are needed
  • Advance scientificexpertisewithin theOptimizationteamand collaborates with cross-disciplinaryteams from CDD and InformationResearchto advance programs and ensure computational capabilities are bestimplemented across programs
  • Proactivelydemonstrateleadership by providing expert advice and shared knowledge with directreports, peers, and senior management
  • Identifyand integrate emerging scientific trends from internal and external sources into functionalobjectives
  • Present program updates and research strategies to functional and non-functional leaders as wellas potential and existing partners
  • Maintain awareness of emerging literature and science in the field and author scientificdisclosures/publications
  • Maintain scientific presence outside AbbVie withappropriate publicationsand conference abstractsubmission highlighting innovativelearnings in computationalmedicinal chemistry


Qualifications

Qualifications

  • Bachelors Degree or equivalent education inSciencerelated field with extensive (typically > 18years) of related work;Masters Degreeor equivalent education with extensive (typically > 16 years) of related work; PhD in Science or related field with typically 10 years of related workexperience
  • Highly organized and self-directed, experience leading multiple complex simultaneous research programs or initiatives
  • Extensive knowledge and experience inapplying data science approachesformedicinal chemistryoptimization
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in moderncomputational approaches formedicinal chemistry
  • Excellent written and verbal communication,as well as critical evaluation and data-driven decision making, particularlyincluding an ability to explain complex ideas to non-specialists
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills withdemonstratedability to think critically and creatively, and provide solutions both individually and collaboratively with internal experts
  • Proven team leadership and management abilities, including experience mentoring, guiding, supervising, and developing scientific personnel with various backgrounds and training levels
  • Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of the needs of others
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse groups within the organization and external partners
  • Ability to create an inclusive environment where diverse ideas, viewpoints and backgrounds are valued; willingness and ability to lead inclusively anddemonstratea commitment to listen and consider all points of view
  • Preferred:hasserved as Project Lead for a campaign resulting in candidate nomination
  • Preferred:track recordof driving design of early to late-stage discovery programs with inventive contributions to advanced programs


Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law:

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof thisposting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location,andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
  • This job is eligible toparticipatein our long-term incentiveprograms.


Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission,incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless anduntil paid andmay bemodifiedat the Companys sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visithttps://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

Salary.com Estimation for Senior Principal Research Scientist, CDD Optimization Team Lead in North Chicago, IL
$107,181 to $131,179
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Senior Principal Research Scientist, CDD Optimization Team Lead?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Senior Principal Research Scientist, CDD Optimization Team Lead career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$156,600 - $210,326
Income Estimation: 
$201,521 - $291,797
Income Estimation: 
$96,054 - $120,781
Income Estimation: 
$120,989 - $162,093
Income Estimation: 
$74,806 - $91,633
Income Estimation: 
$71,928 - $87,026
Income Estimation: 
$145,337 - $174,569
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at BioSpace

  • BioSpace Newark, DE
  • At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, ... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • BioSpace Washington, DC
  • Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • BioSpace New Orleans, LA
  • Geography: New Orleans North (Hattiesburg, MS, Meridian, MS) Our Medical Specialists are at the forefront of engaging Dermatologists and other key customer... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • BioSpace Des Moines, IA
  • Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients... more
  • 9 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Senior Principal Research Scientist, CDD Optimization Team Lead jobs in the North Chicago, IL area that may be a better fit.

  • BioSpace North Chicago, IL
  • Company Description About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and ... more
  • 5 Days Ago

  • BioSpace North Chicago, IL
  • Company Description About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!